Accelerometer



J. G. BURMIST ACCELEROMETER June 19, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 1, 1945 77/115 rsic's.)

John Burmisl' 9 J. G. BURMIST June 19, 1951 ACCELEROMETER s Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 1, 1945 3 ma 0 lm lmz l l am m 7:; J /m B rmis'f' 2 armmw June 19, 1951 r J. G. BURMIST 2,557,173

ACCELEROMETER Original Filed Feb. 1, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 John $.Bawmis1 3 the other resilient elements and the inertia of the weight W. By a proper selection of the frequency contributing characteristics of the flat spring 16, the coil spring H, and the spring element If so that the frequency of the entire system approaches the natural frequency, it has been found that the displacement of the weight W when plotted against time will give a resultant curve similar to that shown in Fig. 6. This curve is apparently the resultant or summation of the frequency effects contributed by the resilient elements acting on and with the weight W.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention in form for use a portable accelerometer is provided which preferably includes an external protective and enclosing housing i5 havingexternal plane faces l6, I7 and [8, any one of which may serve as a base or supporting face for the instrument in accordance with the plane in which it is desired to determine the accelerating force as hereinafter pointed out. The housing i5 is provided With a generally cylindrical extension 26 which carries certain portions of the control structure as hereinafter explained. Within the housing l5 frames 2i are provided each of the frames 2! preferably being of relatively high rigidity, so as to be free from distortion within the range of accelerating forces to which the accelerometer is responsive. Each of the frames 21 preferably includes a central section and a pair of rigid parallel side frame bars 22.

A plurality of acceleration responsive Weights W are preferably provided, the weights W being of different values, in order that readings may be obtained over different ranges. The acceleration responsive weights W each preferably consists of a pair of circular plates or weight members 23 carried on a central portion 24, the total mass being of predetermined quantity, and supported and guided by a cantilever arm ll] of the desired stiffness or spring rate. ,The cantilever arms iii are mounted on the central frame sections 2i so that the weight W is disposed between a pair of side frame bars 22. The cantilever arms I6 support the weights W and permit of movement thereof in a predetermined plane normal to the frame 2i and normal to the flat faces of the cantilever arm l6 and constrains the mass W from movement in an undesired direction, thereby providing for the determination of linear accelerations along one predetermined and selected axis.

The acceleration responsive masses each have flat flexible metallic bellows 25 on each face thereof with spacers 26 interposed between the outer faces of the bellows 25 and the side frame bars 22.

The bellows 25 are preferably fluid tight and have their interiors connected through a central opening or passageway 2'] of fixed and predetermined sixe extending from the interior of one belows 25 through the central portion 24 to the interior of the other bellows 25. The size of the passageway 21 will determine the oscillatory characteristics of the unit l2' including the bellows 25, the passageway 21 functioning as a fixed restriction by permitting controlled transfer of damping fluid from the interior of one bellows 25 to the interior of the other bellows 25. The damping fluid is preferably air, free from moisture, although any other fluid, capableof remaining in dry gaseous state throughout the range of temperature at which the instrument is operated, might be employed. The weights W being supported, guided and restrained by the can- 4 tilever arms In distortion of the bellows 25 is reduced to a minimum and this further contributes to the sensitivity of the instrument with freedom from the effect of other accelerations in other planes.

The coil springs H are preferably secured to the extensions 36 on the frame 2| and are connected to brackets 3i carried by the weights W. These springs II are preferably of equal strength on each side of the weights W and are placed under an initial tension to avoid any dead spot in their operation. These springs H not only have a frequency effect, as heretofore indicated, but also obviate any set of the other resilient elements and-avoid any hysteresis effect.

,The 'total displacement or movement of the weights Wjin response to an accelerating force is very small, and is linear over its range. For

the purpose of observation amplifying apparatus is provided. The amplifying apparatus includes an electric lamp mounted in a lamp socket 35 carried-by the-housingextension 20. 1 The lamp has a filament preferably formed in part as a straight line and providing a line source of light for reflection and transmission, as hereinafter pointed out, to the visual scales 36 and 31 mounted in the housing extension 20.

Each of the acceleration responsive masses W carries an'arm 38 to which a pivot supporting arm 39 is secured. Each of the-pivot supporting arms 39 has a spindle 40 mounted therein and supported in jewelled or other friction free bearings 4l The spindles 46 each have a small mirror, 42, preferably concave, mounted thereon for reflecting the image of the line filament of the lamp. The spindles 46 are positioned by meansof small wire,s,.43, flat or round, extending therearound, the wires 43 at one end being connected to springs 44 mounted on a frame member 45, and at the other ends, upon small shafts 46which serve as reels. The wires 43 being in effect fixed intheir positions movement of the masses W will cause the spindles 4llto rotate because of their engagement with the wires 43. In order to adjust the zero positionsof the mirrors 42, adjusting .rods 48 are provided, extending through the end of the housing extension 26. The rods 48 ha veworms 49 on their inner ends for engagement with spur gears 56 carried on the shafts 46 for rotating the shafts 46. The rods 48 have operating handles 5| on their outer ends.

The scales 36 and 31 are preferably formed as transparent strips for the observation of the reflections of the light source from the mirrors 42 and may be divided or marked in any-desired manner to represent accelerations in terms of the acceleration of gravity g, and in accordance with the acceleration responsive masses W which are employed. The scales 36 and 3l may be respectively divided into decimal parts from plus one g through zero g to minus one g, in increments of 0.02g, and from plus 2g through zero g to minus 29/, in increments .of 0.059, the positions of zero 9 being at the center of the scales 36 and 31. If desired the instrumentmay be readily adapted for higher scale ranges.

In use the instrument is placed'in -the location where it is desired to ascertain the accelerating force, and preferably with the face l6 horizontal. Upon the applicationof the accelerating force of unknownmagnitude within the range'of' the instrument to the Weights W there is a tendency of the weights W to be deflected in accordance with the magnitude of the force. The resilient elements are eifectiveon"theweights W for dampthereof. The movement of theweights W to,;the position determined bythe ,.acceleratin force causes a movement of the spindles; by reason of their encirclin by the wires 43, so that the light beam reflected .by the .mirrors 42 appear on the scales '36 and 37 for observation. 'The'resil- -ient elementseifective .on the weights W provide, within a very shortinterval of time, for a stabilized indication. The-lightrbeams may be readilymoved to -the zero .position .on the scales 36 and 3-! by means of theadiustinglihandles 5 I :and in the event that the weight is caused to function in a vertical plane the necessary adjustment for the acceleration of gravity may be readily made.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. '7 the resilient element S1 may comprise a metallic diaphragm 6!], the resilient element S2 may comprise a flexible metallic bellows GI and the resilient element S3 may comprise a metallic diaphragm 62 which is thinner and more readily flexed than the diaphragm 60.

A casing or frame 63 is provided, having a lower plane face 65 which is adapted to be positioned to serve as a base or supporting face.

The acceleration responsive weight W preferably includes a cylindrical portion 66 mounted within the casing 63, preferably upon a central member 61. The diaphragm 60 is connected, at the central part thereof, to the central member 61. The diaphragm 60 is secured at its periphery between clampin rings 68 and 69 mounted in the casing 63.

The diaphragm 62 is also connected, at the central part thereof, to the central member 61 and is secured at its periphery between clamping rings 1!] and H which are movable with respect to the casing 63.

The metallic bellows 6| is secured at its upper end preferably to the clamping ring 69, and at its lower end to the clamping ring 70.

The central member 61 may have a guiding extension 12 at its lower end for preventing misahnement and the upper end may be provided with a cap 13 to which an arm 38 may be secured for carrying a pivot supporting arm 39 with a spindle 40 therein.

Upon the application of the accelerating force of unknown magnitude there is a tendency, as before, for the weight W to be deflected in accordance with the magnitude of the force. The resilient elements comprising in this instance the diaphragms 60 and 62 and the metallic bellows 6| are effective on the weight W for providing a stabilized indication.

This application is a division of my prior application filed Februar 1, 1945, Serial No. 575,710, for Accelerometers, now Patent No. 2,504,644.

I claim:

1. An accelerometer comprising a support, an acceleration responsive member movable with respect to such support, and mounting means for said responsive member for damping the movement thereof including a corrugated flexible metallic member of predetermined frequency characteristics carried by said support and having a movable portion connected to said responsive member in supporting relation, a second corrugated flexible metallic member of different predetermined frequency characteristics from said first flexible member connected to said acceleration responsive member, and :a third corrugated flexible metallic member of still different predetermined frequency-characteristics connected to said support at one end and connected to-said second flexible member-at the other end thereof,

the combined frequency effects of the flexible metallic members effecting damping of movement of theacceleration responsive member.

-2. An" accelerometercomprising a support, an acceleration --responsive member movable with respect to such support, and mounting means for said responsive member for damping the movement thereof, including a corrugated flexible m'etallic member of predetermined frequency characteristics carried by said support and having a movable portion connected to said responsive member in supporting relation, a, second corrugated flexible metallic member of different predetermined frequency characteristics from said first flexible member connected to said acceleration responsive member, and a flexible metallic bellows of still different predetermined frequency characteristics connected to said support at one end and connected to said second flexible member at the other end thereof, the combined frequency efifects of said flexible members and said bellows effecting damping of the movement of the acceleration responsive member.

3. An accelerometer comprising a support, an acceleration responsive member movable with respect to such support, and mounting means for said responsive member for damping the movement thereof including a flexible metallic diaphragm of predetermined frequency characteristics carried by said support and having a movable portion connected to said responsive member in supporting relation, a second flexible metallic diaphragm of different predetermined frequency characteristics from said first diaphragm connected to said acceleration responsive member in supporting relation, and a flexible metallic bellows of still different predetermined frequency characteristics connected to said support at one end and connected to said second diaphragm at the other end thereof, the combined frequency effects of said diaphragms and said bellows effecting damping of the acceleration responsive member.

4. An accelerometer comprising a casing, a flexible diaphragm of predetermined size and frequency characteristics rigidly connected to said casing, an acceleration responsive member connected to .a movable portion of said diaphragm, a second diaphragm of different predetermined size and frequency characteristics from said first diaphragm having a movable portion connected to said acceleration responsive member for movement therewith, and a metallic bellows of still different frequency characteristics connected to said casing at one end and connected to said second diaphragm at the other end, the longitudinal axis of said acceleration responsive member passing through the central portions. of said diaphragms and being coincident with the longitudinal axis of said bellows, and the combined frequency characteristics of said diaphragms and said bellows effecting damping of said acceleration responsive member.

5. An accelerometer comprising a casing, a flexible diaphragm of predetermined frequency characteristics rigidly connected to said casing, an acceleration responsive member connected to a movable portion of said diaphragm, a second diaphragm of different predetermined frequency characteristics from said first diaphragm connected 0t said acceleration responsive member for movement therewith, and a metallic bellows 0f different frequency characteristics from said dia- REFERENCES CITED phragms connected to said casing at one end and The following references are of record in the connected to said second diaphragm at the other file of this patent:

end, the longitudinal axis of said acceleration responsive member passing through the central por- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS tions of said diaphragms and being coincident b r Name Date with the longitudinal axis of said bellows, and 989,958 Frahm Apr. 18, 1911 the combined frequency characteristics of said 1,595,225 Coflin Aug. 10, 1 926 diaphragms and said bellows effecting damping 2,231,957 Shrader Feb. 18, 1941 of said acceleration responsive member. 10 2,237,326 Barry Apr. 8, 1941 2,317,028 Chappell Apr. 20, 1943 JOHN G. BURMIST. 2,332,994 Draper Oct. 26, 1943 2,504,644 Burmist Apr. 13, 1950 

